What fundamentally motivated the new American engagement with China and Japan in the 1840s and 1850s? Were the treaties negotiated by Caleb Cushing and Matthew Perry expressions of the expansionist spirit of manifest destiny and general Western imperialism, or were Americans genuinely interested in economic and cultural exchange with East Asia?

It was the intention of Americans to tap into the Asia's rich market. However, because of Britain control over some parts of China after winning the Opium War, they were at loggerheads with America. American merchants went ahead to establish trade concession with China because they feared that Britain might gain total control of China. Because there was an interest in commerce, secured privileges and vital rights, and no colonies from Caleb Cushing, the United States were given all trading terms that were given to other powers. This did not enhance their cultural exchange with China because their intention was to threaten cultural integrity with the opium that was entering China at the time and the missionaries.

On the other hand, Perry agreed to allowing the United States to form coaling rights, consular relations, and very good treatment for sailors that had their ship wrecked. This was to allow for commercial trade. This was the beginning of modernization and industrialization in Japan.